WASS PhD Council

The PhD Council of the Wageningen School of Social Sciences (WASS) is a discussion platform for all PhD candidates connected to the WASS. We play an important role in the functioning of the graduate school and represent the interest of our PhD candidates.

The WASS PhD Council represents and monitors the interests of the PhDs graduating at the WASS at various levels:

Graduate school level: the WASS Board

Department level: the WASS Education Committee

University level: the Wageningen PhD Council

Furthermore, members of the PhD Council advise, update and inform the WASS PhDs and the WASS committees on urgent and relevant matters. They also organise informal meetings and drinks such as the annual PhD day and Career event.

All Events and Activities

Every year the WASS PhD Council offers WASS PhD's the opportunity to present their work.

Are you a WASS PhD? Would you like to have your paper reviewed and discussed by senior researchers? The WASS PhD Day is an in-house conference that creates these conditions for you.

Why should you as a PhD give a presentation at the WASS PhD Day? • To discuss your work with other researchers and benefit from their feedback. • To improve your paper, as it will be reviewed and discussed by two senior researchers who are experts in your field. • To receive 1 ECTS for your TSP.

Are you a WUR Staff member, postdoc or PhD? And are you interested in learning more about the research of PhD's within the WASS Graduate School? Then you are also more than welcome to join the WASS PhD Day and engage in discussion with PhD's about their work.

The next WASS PhD Day will be organized on May 18th, 2017!

If you have any suggestions or idea for a formal/informal activity, please contact us at phdcouncil.wass@wur.nl.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a new PhD at WASS. What can the PhD Council do for me?

Welcome! We have made an information package for you, with all kind of information such as TSP, housing, contact information. Please contact us if you would like this package.

I am interested in joining the WASS PhD Council. Is that possible?

Sure! That is, if you want to gain experience, meet new people and have a great time. We are always looking for extra help. We can always use people who like to organise and want to act as the voice of a WASS PhD. And also people who want to organise more parties, professional excursions, sport teams, PhD days or who want to work on our website, newsletter, etc.

How can I become a member of the WASS PhD Council?

If you are a PhD candidate at the Wageningen School of Social Sciences and interested in representing your fellow PhDs, then join us in the WASS PhD Council! We regularly have places available. Please send your motivation and CV to phdcouncil.wass@wur.nl and we will invite you to attend a meeting.

We do not organize elections for new members because such a procedure is very time-consuming and can be perceived as a barrier for joining the council. Instead, we talk about your ambitions and ideas regarding the WASS PhD training programme, and about the work we do as PhD council.

I have encountered some problems. Can the PhD Council help me?

If you encounter problems during your PhD programme, do not hesitate to contact us. We cannot solve all problems by ourselves, but we may be able to help you to find the right person. Send us an email if you have something on your mind or contact one of the PhD Council members.

How can I get in touch with the PhD Council?

Via email: phdcouncil.wass@wur.nl or by approaching one of our members in person (see on the right side of the page).

We are here for you!

Networking via social media

Join the Linkedin sub-group: "WASS PhD Group", Wageningen University" to get in touch professionally with other WASS PhDs and WASS alumni.

Information Package

The information package provides an overview of the organizational structure at Wageningen University and details about the WASS PhD program. In addition to that, you will find practical information on matters such as housing, financial issues, important contacts, useful links, and some tips from the PhD Council. We wish you a good kick-start with your PhD project!